Sometimes in life you can feel swamped with endless 'to dos'. January this year was no exception for me and it was with a small feeling of 'Is this wise with all that's going on at home and work?' that I boarded the plane to Kenya. How wrong I was!
So much had happened and some of the children looked so grown up and proud in their new school uniforms. All home front worries were put in perspective or evaporated as I enjoyed seeing the Naomi , Bill, the staff and children again.
My arrival followed in the wake of Tamara and Nainesh who had driven with a huge truck full of goodies that they'd raised funds for. Most obvious were all the plastic tables and chairs which meant that all the children had somewhere to sit for breakfast and the older children had a place to do their homework when they came home from school. The guest bedroom was positively bulging with Tamara and Nainesh bounty that was being carefully eked out.
I was impressed at how the older children's English was coming along; Bill and Filda particularly enjoyed translating on behalf of the younger ones!
I was accompanied to Kenya by a guest-his name is Frantic ( alias Stephen Elliot), a musician I had met at Kea Church jazz concert. He has written a song about Naomi and the children called 'Mercy Mercy' and wanted to incorporate the staff and children in a video to go with the song to help promote the charity....watch this space. Frantic's larger than life personality and enthusiasm for the project took over and before long the whole compound was resounding to the reggae beat of 'Mercy Mercy'.
It was good to see the farm producing wonderful fresh food for the children but plans are afoot to make it more efficient. Jimmy the farm manager bought some chickens while I was there (layers). The eggs would provide at least two breakfasts a week of scrambled eggs for the children an important additional source of protein.
The staff have had no pay rise in the last three years and with money shortages we had last year, many had their hours cut too. With this and inflation escalating hugely in Kenya, it was with great relief that M.R.T was in January able to offer a few more hours and increased pay to our very loyal staff who work hard and are very deserving.
As always the week went too quickly and we sadly had to wend our way home. However not before a stop at the Masai market in Nairobi where I stocked up on many leather and bead work goodies to bring home for our coffee morning on March 26th. On that note I would like to say a big 'Thank you!' to everyone who attended, bought goods or donated cakes and raffle prizes. We raised an amazing £720 on what was a beautiful and enjoyable morning at Tremethick.
Clare Jenkins.
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